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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Faulty temperature guage / sender

My recently bought 1979 1500 midget's temperature guage does not show a reading at all. My gut reaction is that the sender is faulty but on clearing out the boot, I came across an old sender unit so I'm thinking he previous owner has tried this already. Is there a way I can test the sender before I start stripping out the guage? Or does anyone have any other suggestions.
E F Spencer

Hi,

Simple test is, ignition on, remove the wire from the sender and hold it to earth, the gauge should slowly climb to hot.


If it doesn't, the gauge is faulty, has no live supply to it or the wire is broken between rhe gauge and the sender.

You don't say the fuel gauge has a problem so the voltage stabiliser must be ok.

Hope that helps a bit.

Regards Steve.
SR Smith 1

The temp sensor on my 1500 failed several years ago, the symprom being that the gauge went right to hot when starting up from cold. So in your case, I'd suspect the gauge, wire, or connections.

Best of luck,

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Thanks Steve, i did the simple test you suggested and sure enough the guage rose slowly to hot. £7.95 later, new sender fitted and the problem is sorted.

Now on to the next problem, I think I may be in for a busy summer.
E F Spencer

Interesting! I guess our senders failed in different ways.

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Glad you got it sorted.
SR Smith 1

This thread was discussed between 01/04/2012 and 02/04/2012

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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